LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. July 30, 2009 – Arriving before sunrise at Magic Kingdom, scores of Disney Cast Members spent several mornings in July chanting “stroke, stroke, stroke” along the Rivers of America as they competed in the annual Canoe Races Around the World.

Disney Channel will debut the second season of its hit music-filled Playhouse Disney series, “Imagination Movers,” SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 (10:00 a.m., ET/PT). New episodes of the series, starring New Orleans’ favorite alternative rock band for preschoolers, will air every Saturday throughout September. The season will include more than 25 new original songs by the band.

Burbank, July 29, 2009 — In an exclusive Radio Disney Take Over with “PONYO” co-stars Noah Cyrus and Frankie Jonas on Monday, July 27, the duo joined “Ernie D” in studio and talked about how they first met, dished tips from their famous family members and shared behind-the-scenes details from their upcoming movie.

Frankie told “Ernie D” that the co-stars, recording duo and friends met a few years ago, saying, “First, a long time ago, we actually became friends on iChat.” Noah added, “Miley and Nick were talking and I walked by…”

Noah, 9, and Frankie, 8, who also recorded the movie’s theme song and music video together, shared some words of wisdom from their successful family members that have helped them in their singing and acting endeavors. Noah told “Ernie D” both her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus and her older sister, Miley Cyrus, have given her pointers, saying, “He also does it on the singing, but he also helps me on the guitar… She taught me to always have fun with it.” Frankie told “Ernie D” his famous older brothers, Joe, Nick and Kevin of the Jonas Brothers, told him to “just go by the lines. Do exactly what they say.”

Making the rounds on the ‘net is a concept art-laden update from an original report by Gamsutra which speculated on an upcoming project known as ‘Epic Mickey’ from Warren Spector’s Junction Point Studios. ‘Strangely’ enough, the news comes hot on the heels of an article Gamasutra published only a couple of days ago in which Disney Interactive’s Graham Hopper hints about the project, even foreshadowing that we’d find out more about it ‘one of these days’ — perhaps a bit sooner than he meant.

Stars of ‘Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie,’ Selena Gomez, David Henrie and Jake Austin will be appearing on The View on Wednesday, August 5. Also appearing on the show will be actor James Brolin and a musical performance from the Broadway cast of ‘Hair.’

Production has begun in Hollywood on “I’m In The Band,” a music-filled, live-action comedy series for kids and families about a teenager who realizes his wildest dream when he joins his favorite “vintage” rock band, Iron Weasel, and sets out to help the band he idolizes make an epic comeback. The series, formerly known as “Viper Slap,” is scheduled to premiere in 2010 on Disney XD.

In “I’m In The Band,” Tripp Campbell joins his favorite “vintage” rock band, Iron Weasel, and becomes determined to help the band he idolizes make an epic comeback. He’s certainly got his work cut out for him with the trio of rock star misfits whose stars have fallen so far that they can’t even afford their own housing and are forced to share bunk beds in a guest room at Tripp’s house. Nonetheless, in their own off the wall way, the three stooges will do their best to help Tripp steer through his teenage years with the goal of turning him into a bona fide rock star and giving him the chance to live out his dream.

Disney Sports is creating a one-of-a-kind bonus medal for runners who complete the Fall Race Challenge, competing in two of Disney’s three fall endurance events at Walt Disney World Resort. Runners that record an official time for Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K and either the Expedition Everest Challenge presented by Champion or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K will receive the bonus medal in addition to individual race medals – a total of three race medals for running two races. Registration for all three fall events is now open.

“Disney is dedicated to providing guests with new, interactive features to make their race experience more fun, more exciting and more memorable,” says Disney Endurance Series Director Kathleen Duran. “We are always looking for new ways to differentiate our Disney events by creating unique, immersive experiences.”

Disney’s fall lineup includes expanded race options. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13k event will feature a 5k and an exclusive post-race party. Disney’s Race for the Taste 10k event will include a new 3k race designed for casual runners and those looking to compete in their first endurance event.

ORLANDO, Fla., July 29, 2009 – Making music for charity’s sake, the Encore! Cast Choir and Orchestra, a volunteer ensemble of nearly 300 Disney Cast Members, struck a high note by raising a record $35,000 for United Arts of Central Florida.

“On behalf of Encore!, we are grateful to everyone who came out to support our concerts and help us raise a record level of funds for United Arts,” said Encore! producer and co-founder Ray Fournier. “We are thrilled to be giving them a $35,000 donation and know it will go to good use in support of many arts organizations in Central Florida who are struggling in these economic times.”

Disney has just announced that The Princess and the Frog star Anika Noni Rose will be the narrator for Epcot’s 2009 Candlelight Processional from December 6 – 8. The list previously published here has been updated.